Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Raising Price Target. With KTOS shares hitting our prior $22 price target, we are raising our price target to $26. We are maintaining our Outperform rating on the shares. We view the recent awards and demonstrations as further confirmation of the Kratos strategy in providing leading edge disruptive technology products and systems.
CR Concern. Although we remain confident in the long-term success of the Company, the potential for another extended Continuing Resolution remains a concern in the near-term. The Federal government’s fiscal year ends September 30th and we do not expect a 2025 budget to be passed before then. The concern is for an extended CR, like we had in fiscal 2024, which pushes new awards and contracts to the right.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Accelerating Growth. Kratos’ second quarter results reflect the successful execution of the Company’s strategy, in our view. The quarter was characterized by organic growth in key areas such as unmanned jet drone systems, turbine technologies, microwave products, and C5ISR.
Alignment. A hardware and software rich technology company, Kratos is well aligned to address increased global defense budgets in the areas such as air defense, missiles, radar, space, satellite, hypersonic engines, propulsion systems, C5ISR, microwave electronics, drones, cyber, and training systems.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Continued Strong Results. Revenue was reported at $300.1 million, beating out our estimate of $270 million by a wide margin and last year’s revenue of $256.9 million. Organic growth was 16.7%. Net income totaled $7.9 million from a prior net loss of $2.7 million last year. We estimated net income of $0.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $29.9 million.
KUS. For the quarter, Unmanned Systems was the star performer, generating revenues of $85.8 million, as compared to $52.1 million in the second quarter of 2023, with organic revenue growth of 61.8% driven primarily by increased domestic target drone production and a certain international target drone delivery which contributed $17.4 million.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Performance Drivers. Contributing to the first quarter’s strong performance included particularly solid performance in unmanned systems, air defense, propulsion systems, turbine technologies, and the microwave electronics businesses, as well as production and delivery on certain programs that were executed earlier in the year than initially expected.
Events Favor Kratos. With the federal budget finally passed, increased funding has been allocated to areas which are right in Kratos’ sweet spot while ongoing world events, especially in the Ukraine and Middle East are highlighting the need for Kratos products, both of which we believe will drive growth for the Company.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Strong Results. Blowing past our expectations, revenue for the first quarter was $277.2 million, a 19.6% increase over the prior year’s $231.8 million. The increase includes 19.5% of organic revenue growth. Our estimate was at $250 million. Net income for the quarter of $1.3 million was an improvement from a net loss of $7.0 million last year, highlighting the Company’s revenue growth and improved margin (operating margin of 2.5% vs. 0.2% last year). We forecasted a net loss of $4.0 million.
Unmanned Systems. A highlight of the impressive revenue growth is Kratos’ Unmanned Systems segment. The segment had organic revenue growth of 21.8% in the quarter, with a more impressive 23.8% revenue growth factoring in the STS acquisition. The segment also generated approximately 25.5% of the total bookings for the quarter with a book to bill of 1.4 to 1.0. We expect the segment to continue to gain momentum as management places more emphasis on developing the segment throughout 2024 and beyond.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, announced today that it will publish financial results for the first quarter 2024 after the close of market on Tuesday, May 7th. Management will discuss the Company’s operations and financial results in a conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific (5:00 p.m. Eastern).
The call will be available at www.kratosdefense.com. Participants may register for the call using this OnlineForm. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN that can be used to access the call. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on Kratos’ website.
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low cost future manufacturing which is a value add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
New Award. Kratos subsidiary Micro Systems Inc. was awarded a $24 million ID/IQ contract to produce, test, and deliver a maximum quantity of 375 airborne transponders; 150 ground radio frequency units; 75 airborne relay and 15 test sets. This contract also includes the testing, teardown, and evaluation for a maximum quantity of 625 systems of naval targets control and 375 AN/DSQ-50A. Included as well are the repairs of up to 100 airborne transponders; 100 ground radio frequency units; 100 airborne relay; 30 test sets; 120 low rate initial production airborne transponders; 100 AN/DSQ-50A (L-Band) and 100 AN/DSQ-50A (S-Band) in support of target mission support systems for the Navy. Work is expected to be completed in April 2029.
SATCOM. Kratos and SES, a leader in global content connectivity solutions, successfully executed a fully virtualized satellite communications (SATCOM) ground system demonstration for the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command. Kratos and SES successfully showed a flexible network architecture facilitating simultaneous communication pathways for resilient SATCOM. As employed in this demonstration, Kratos’ OpenSpace is the first to leverage containers to orchestrate the transfer of communication sessions in a standards-based, open, COTS platform environment.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
SAN DIEGO, March 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets and industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems, announced today that its Unmanned Systems Division has received a $57,673,542 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract. This modification exercises options to procure full rate production Lot Five of the BQM-177A Surface Launched Aerial Targets to provide for the production and delivery of 70 BQM-177A Surface Launched Aerial Targets and 70 Rocket-Assisted Takeoff attachment kits, as well as associated technical and administrative data in support of weapons system test, and evaluation and fleet training for the Navy.
Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said, “It’s exciting to be a major part of this critically important capability for the U.S. Navy with our BQM-177A Sub-Sonic Aerial Target (SSAT) aircraft system (target). The 177A continues to push the envelope delivering leading edge realistic threat-representative capabilities to support today’s peer-level threat environment. We look forward to the increased production rate and continuing to evolve the system with our customer as the threats evolve.”
Greg Crewse, Program Manager for the Navy’s Aerial Targets program office (PMA-208), said, “In partnership with the Navy Aerial Targets program office, Kratos Defense and the BQM-177A Air Vehicle are true assets to the Navy and, together, we have the opportunity to engage in critical training exercises that will prepare our personnel to face a multitude of scenarios in a challenging, cost-effective test environment prior to engaging real-world threats, should the need arise. As recent real-world events have proven, these target presentations are growing ever more critical to prepare our warfighters to go into harm’s way – and prevail.”
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading-edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low-cost future manufacturing which is a value-add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high, and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.
SAN DIEGO, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets, announced today that it has been awarded a $499,000,000 multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the design, build, test, and delivery of functioning anti-tamper solutions that will be ready for follow-on production to be integrated into a broad range of Department of Defense programs. The development of these solutions enables the necessary protection of critical program information from adversarial tamper efforts. Work will be performed in the continental United States and is expected to be completed February 28, 2030. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and twenty offers were received. The Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
Kratos SRE is a technology business focused on strategic deterrence systems, missiles, space and satellite communications, exotic material test and analysis, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, hypersonic platforms, trusted and assured microelectronics, anti–tamper technology and other platforms and systems.
Michael Johns, President of Kratos SRE, said, “This recent award provides Kratos access to a new contractual channel and new customers for certain of our most sophisticated technology and products, specifically related to the protection of mission critical national security programs and systems from tampering efforts.”
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low cost future manufacturing which is a value add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.
Kratos Press Contact: Yolanda White 858-812-7302 Direct
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
A Capital Raise. After the market close on Thursday, Kratos announced the pricing of an underwritten offering of 16,666,667 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $18.00 per share. The net proceeds to Kratos from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, are expected to be approximately $288 million. Kratos also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,500,000 shares of common stock. All of the shares in the offering are to be sold by Kratos. The offering is expected to close on February 27, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. We would note Noble Capital was part of the underwriting group.
Uses. Kratos expects to use the net proceeds to facilitate its long-term strategy, including potential investment in facilities, expanding manufacturing capacity, and anticipated capital expenditures for expansion of current sole-source/single award programs and high probability pipeline opportunities. Other uses are to further strengthen the Company’s balance sheet in anticipation of upcoming customer and partner decisions and source selection on additional large, new program and contract opportunities and for general corporate purposes, including paydown of debt.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets announced today that its Space & Missile Defense (SMDS) business unit has ordered a combined total of nine new Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 rocket motors in preparation for upcoming initial customer funded flights. The Kratos developed Zeus family of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) is in direct response to the urgent need for affordable commercial launch vehicle stages for hypersonic test, ballistic missile target, sounding rocket and “other” customer missions. SMDS applied its significant experience to establish the Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 motor requirements and specifications in close coordination with respective customer and user communities. Kratos, through internal investments, funded development of the Zeus SRMs which are designed and manufactured to Kratos’ specifications by key merchant supplier and partner, Aerojet Rocketdyne.
The Kratos Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 SRMs provide substantial performance improvements over similar legacy and heritage SRMs within the same relevant form factor, allowing existing vehicle designs and launch infrastructure to remain unchanged while also promoting rapid integration of leading technology systems and payloads, including those currently under development by Kratos. These and other key attributes will provide Kratos’ customers opportunities to fly more often, faster and farther, using fewer stages, at a substantially reduced cost.
The Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 are high-performance 32.5-inch diameter SRMs, designed with versatility and affordability in mind as a complement to Kratos’ internally funded investments in the Erinyes hypersonic test “flyer” that is expected to debut later this year. Kratos Zeus SRMs will also complement Kratos’ internally funded, follow-on Dark Fury hypersonic system, which nature and performance characteristics are highly classified. These Kratos investments in the hypersonic and other relevant areas create a versatile family of test, evaluation and “other” products that offer complete systems, SRMs, and flyers. With the Zeus SRMs, and the Erinyes, Dark Fury, and other Kratos front ends, Kratos is one of the only companies boasting both launcher and “Flyer” systems within one organization, providing unmatched innovation, disruptive capabilities, mission responsiveness and affordability to the customer.
Dave Carter, President of Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services Division, said, “The Kratos Zeus family of SRMs is representative of our strategy to internally fund, rapidly develop, be first to market and field affordable, relevant systems to the United States Department of Defense and our Allies. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and the low cost of these incredibly effective, high-performance systems, is driving significant interest from the relevant customer and user communities, as represented by this initial order of Zeus SRMs.”
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos, said, “Kratos Zeus family of SRMs demonstrates our internally funded investment strategy of delivering relevant products and systems, not power points or renditions, to the National Security market. Kratos Zeus family of motors, similar to other Kratos systems, including tactical drones like Valkyrie, our Oriole rocket, and our hypersonic flyers Erinyes and Dark Fury, are not only rapidly developed and demonstrated, but are also engineered up front for affordable mass production at quantity, an additional Kratos differentiator and value enhancer for our government customers and also for our traditional prime system integrator partners.”
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low cost future manufacturing which is a value add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.
Kratos Press Contact: Yolanda White 858-812-7302 Direct
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Review. We reviewed the Company’s 10-K filing as well as went through the conference call transcript again. Both highlight the tremendous amount of opportunity available to the Company. Opportunity that we believe will begin to be realized this year and lead to improved operating performance.
A Key Change. While Kratos always has been open to partnering with prime contractors, the 10-K highlights, in our view, a mindset change in such partnerships. Kratos now will be more willing to enter such partnerships in all areas of the Company’s business when management’s assessment of the opportunities indicates such a partnership is the most favorable opportunity.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Full Year 2023 Revenues of $1.037 Billion Reflect 15.5 Percent Growth and 12.6 Percent Organic Growth, Respectively, Over Full Year 2022 Revenues of $898.3 Million
Fourth Quarter Revenues of $273.8 Million Reflect 9.8 Percent Growth and 7.3 Percent Organic Growth, Respectively, Over Fourth Quarter 2022 Revenues of $249.3 Million
Fourth Quarter 2023 Cash Flow Generated from Operations of $67.4 Million Full Year 2023 Cash Flow Generated from Operations of $65.2 Million
Fourth Quarter 2023 Consolidated Book to Bill Ratio of 1.2 to 1 and Bookings of $330 Million
Last Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 Consolidated Book to Bill Ratio of 1.1 to 1 and Bookings of $1.15 Billion
2024 Financial Forecast Includes 10 Percent Organic Revenue Growth
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today reported its fourth quarter 2023 financial results, including Revenues of $273.8 million, Operating Income of $11.7 million, Net Income attributable to Kratos of $2.4 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $29.1 million and a consolidated book to bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0.
Included in fourth quarter 2023 Net Income and Operating Income is non-cash stock compensation expense of $6.3 million and Company-funded Research and Development (R&D) expense of $8.0 million, which includes significant ongoing development efforts in our Space and Satellite Communications business to develop our virtual, software-based OpenSpace command & control (C2), telemetry tracking & control (TT&C) and other ground system solutions. The fourth quarter 2023 Net Income attributable to Kratos includes $3.2 million attributable to a non-controlling interest, which includes a charge of $2.7 million adjustment recorded to reflect the estimated increase in the value of the redeemable non-controlling interest to the estimated redemption amount by Kratos.
Kratos reported fourth quarter 2023 GAAP Net Income attributable to Kratos of $2.4 million and a GAAP Net Income per share of $0.02, compared to a GAAP Net Loss attributable to Kratos of $8.3 million and a GAAP Net Loss per share of $0.07 for the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.12 for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $0.08 for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Fourth quarter 2023 Revenues of $273.8 million increased $24.5 million, reflecting 9.8 percent and 7.3 percent organic growth, respectively, from fourth quarter 2022 Revenues of $249.3 million. Fourth quarter 2023 Cash Flow Generated from Operations was $67.4 million, primarily reflecting the receipt of accelerated favorable customer milestone payments, resulting in a Consolidated Days Sales Outstanding reduction from 117 days in the third quarter of 2023 to 109 days in the fourth quarter of 2023 and increases in deferred revenues or customer advanced payments to $101.8 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, up from $79.4 million at the end of the third quarter of 2023. Free Cash Flow Generated from Operations for the Fourth Quarter of 2023 was $48.1 million after funding of $19.3 million of capital expenditures. Capital expenditures remain elevated due primarily to the manufacture of two production lots of Valkyries prior to contract award, to meet anticipated customer orders and requirements.
For the fourth quarter of 2023, Kratos’ Unmanned Systems (KUS) segment generated Revenues of $55.4 million, which included contribution of $6.4 million from the recent Sierra Technical Services, Inc. (STS) acquisition, as compared to $62.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily reflecting reduced tactical drone activity. KUS’s Operating Income was $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. KUS’s Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $4.0 million, compared to fourth quarter 2022 KUS Adjusted EBITDA of $4.5 million, reflecting reduced volume.
KUS’s book-to-bill ratio for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 1.1 to 1.0 and 1.2 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended December 31, 2023, with bookings of $61.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and bookings of $244.2 million for the last twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Total backlog for KUS at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 was $255.8 million compared to $227.8 million at the end of the third quarter of 2023.
For the fourth quarter of 2023, Kratos’ Government Solutions (KGS) segment Revenues of $218.4 million increased from Revenues of $186.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting a 17.0 percent growth and organic growth rate. The increased Revenues includes organic revenue growth in our Space, Satellite, Cyber and Training Solutions, Turbine Technologies, C5ISR, and Microwave Products businesses.
KGS reported operating income of $17.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $8.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily reflecting a more favorable mix and increased revenue volume. Fourth quarter 2023 KGS Adjusted EBITDA was $25.1 million, compared to fourth quarter 2022 KGS Adjusted EBITDA of $14.7 million, primarily reflecting the increased revenue and more favorable mix.
Kratos’ Space, Satellite, Cyber and Training business generated Revenues of $112.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $97.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting a 15.5 percent organic growth rate.
KGS reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the fourth quarter of 2023, a book to bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and bookings of $269.2 million and $902.2 million for the three and last twelve months ended December 31, 2023, respectively. KGS includes Kratos’ Space, Satellite, Cyber and Training Solutions business, which reported a book to bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the fourth quarter and the last twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Bookings for Kratos’ Space, Satellite, Cyber and Training business for the three months and last twelve months ended December 31, 2023 were $132.2 million and $493.5 million, respectively. KGS’s total backlog at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 was $988.0 million, as compared to $937.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 2023.
Kratos reported consolidated bookings of $330.3 million and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the fourth quarter of 2023, and consolidated bookings of $1.15 billion and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Consolidated backlog was $1.24 billion on December 31, 2023 and $1.17 billion on October 1, 2023. Kratos’ bid and proposal pipeline was $11.0 billion at December 31, 2023 and $10.3 billion at October 1, 2023. Backlog at December 31, 2023 included funded backlog of $944.6 million and unfunded backlog of $299.3 million.
Full Year 2023 Results
Kratos reported its full year 2023 financial results, including Revenues of $1.037 billion, Operating Income of $31.1 million, Net Loss attributable to Kratos of $8.9 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $95.4 million and a consolidated book to bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0.
Included in the full year 2023 Net Loss and Operating Income is non-cash stock compensation expense of $25.3 million and Company-funded Research and Development (R&D) expense of $38.4 million, which includes significant ongoing development efforts in our Space and Satellite Communications business to develop our first to market, virtual, software-based OpenSpace command & control (C2), telemetry tracking & control (TT&C) and other ground system solutions. The full year 2023 Net Loss attributable to Kratos includes $11.3 million attributable to a non-controlling interest, which includes charges of $9.9 million of adjustments recorded to reflect the estimated increase in the value of the redeemable non-controlling interest to the estimated redemption amount by Kratos.
Kratos reported full year 2023 GAAP Net Loss attributable to Kratos of $8.9 million and a GAAP Net Loss per share of $0.07, compared to a GAAP Net Loss attributable to Kratos of $36.9 million and a GAAP Net Loss per share of $0.29 for the full year 2022. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.42 for the full year 2023, compared to $0.31 for full year 2022.
Full year 2023 Revenues of $1.037 billion increased $138.8 million, reflecting 15.5 percent growth and 12.6 percent organic growth, respectively, from full year 2022 Revenues of $898.3 million. Full year 2023 Cash Flow Generated from Operations was $65.2 million, primarily reflecting the receipt of accelerated favorable customer milestone payments, offset partially by working capital uses including increases in inventories of approximately $29.6 million. Free Cash Flow Generated from Operations was $21.1 million after funding of $52.4 million of capital expenditures, less $8.3 million in receipt of proceeds for sale of Valkyries that were built as Kratos capital assets. Full year 2023 capital expenditures were elevated due primarily to the manufacture of the two production lots of Valkyries prior to contract award to meet anticipated customer orders and requirements.
For full year 2023, KUS generated Revenues of $212.2 million, which included contribution of $6.4 million from the recent STS acquisition, as compared to $221.7 million in the full year 2022, primarily reflecting reduced tactical drone activity. KUS’s Operating Income was $4.2 million in full year 2023 compared to an Operating Loss of $2.8 million in full year 2022. KUS’s Adjusted EBITDA for full year 2023 was $14.8 million, compared to full year 2022 KUS Adjusted EBITDA of $12.5 million, reflecting the reduced volume offset by a more favorable mix.
For full year 2023, KGS Revenues of $824.9 million increased $148.3 million, reflecting 21.9 percent growth and 18.9 percent organic growth, respectively, from Revenues of $676.6 million in full year 2022. The increased Revenues includes organic revenue growth in our Space, Satellite, Cyber and Training Solutions, Turbine Technologies, C5ISR, and Microwave Products businesses.
KGS reported operating income of $52.7 million in full year 2023 compared to $27.2 million in full year 2022, primarily reflecting a more favorable mix and increased revenue volume. Full year 2023 KGS Adjusted EBITDA was $80.6 million, compared to full year 2022 KGS Adjusted EBITDA of $58.2 million, primarily reflecting the more favorable mix and increased revenue.
Kratos’ Space, Satellite, Cyber and Training business generated Revenues of $423.0 million in full year 2023 compared to $359.0 million in full year 2022, reflecting a 17.8 percent growth and organic growth rate.
Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO, said, “Kratos’ strategy as a technology company and making internally funded investments to be first to market with affordable systems, software and products, is being successfully executed. Additionally, Kratos taking the prime or lead position on program opportunities where we believe the Kratos internal investment required is acceptable and the probability of Kratos win is high, and also Kratos teaming with a traditional system integrator partner, for a combined even greater probability of win on other opportunities is clearly working. Kratos’ low cost, innovation, rapid development and engineering up front for affordable mass production, brings significant value to our customers, our prime system integrator partners in teaming situations, and to our shareholders.”
Mr. DeMarco continued, “As we begin 2024, expected Kratos’ base case growth areas include: satellite communications; jet engines for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic and space systems; hypersonic systems; C5ISR and microwave electronics for missile, radar and CUAS systems and augmented reality training systems. We are currently producing approximately 160 high performance tactical and target jet drones annually, with a validated and executing supply chain in place, and we are making the investments necessary to triple our drone production capacity. As the only Company with a family of affordable, attritable, tactical jet drones flying today with weapons range pedigree and with additional new jet drones in development, all under customer funded contracts, we are confident that we will be successful. We are forecasting Kratos’ unmanned systems business to be one of our leading growth drivers in 2024, including target drone production and tactical drone RDT&E and S&T contracts, including a new tactical drone program award.”
Mr. DeMarco concluded, “Business challenges include our ability to obtain and retain qualified personnel, including those that are willing and able to obtain National Security clearances and the related high cost of these individuals, which is currently adversely impacting our margins. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Government budgetary situation is a challenge for the industry and for Kratos, and one that we cannot control and an extended Continuing Resolution Authorization (CRA) could adversely impact our business and financial forecast if not resolved soon.”
Financial Guidance
We are providing our initial 2024 first quarter and full year financial guidance, which includes our current forecasted business mix, and our assumptions, including as related to: employee sourcing, hiring and retention; manufacturing, production and supply chain disruptions; parts shortages and related continued potential significant cost and price increases, including for employees, materials and components that are impacting the industry and Kratos. The range of our expected first quarter and full year 2024 Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA includes assumptions of forecasted execution, including the number and estimated costs of qualified personnel expected to be obtained and retained to successfully execute on our programs and contracts, as well as expected contract awards. A U.S. Government budget was not passed by October 1, 2023, the beginning of Federal Fiscal Year 2024, and as a result, Kratos and others in our industry are operating under a Continuing Resolution Authorization (CRA), which currently expires March 8, 2024, under which no new contracts and no increases in existing contracts production or funding, among other stipulations, is permitted. Kratos’ 2024 financial forecast and guidance provided today assumes that the current CRA will be resolved and that a U.S. Federal and DoD budget which includes no unexpected budget cuts impacting our business will be in place by March 8, 2024. As a result, similar to Kratos’ 2023 quarterly financial trajectory, which fiscal year also experienced a CRA, we are forecasting Kratos’ third and fourth financial quarter’s results of 2024 to be significantly greater than the fiscal first and second quarter’s results, with the fourth quarter expected to be particularly strong in both revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. If the current CRA goes beyond the existing March 8, 2024 date, we will evaluate Kratos’ 2024 financial forecast at that time, based on the existing facts, circumstances and expectations.
Kratos’ 2024 financial forecast and guidance includes elevated investments for capital expenditures, including continued manufacture of two production lots of Valkyries prior to contract award, to meet anticipated customer orders and requirements, the expansion and build-out of the Company’s Microwave Products production facilities, and the expansion of our manufacturing and production facilities in our Rocket Systems and Hypersonic businesses.
Our first quarter and full year 2024 guidance ranges are as follows:
Current Guidance Range
$M
Q124
FY24
Revenues
$240 – $260
$1,125 – $1,150
R&D
$9 – $11
$42 – $45
Operating Income
$1 – 3
$37 – $41
Depreciation
$6 – $8
$28 – $30
Amortization
$2 – $3
$8 – $10
Stock Based Compensation
$6 – $7
$26- $28
Adjusted EBITDA
$16 – $18
$102 – $107
Operating Cash Flow
$50 – $60
Capital Expenditures
$70 – $80
Free Cash Flow Use
($10 – $30)
Management will discuss the Company’s financial results, on a conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific (5:00 p.m. Eastern) today. The call will be available at www.kratosdefense.com. Participants may register for the call using this Online Form. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN that can be used to access the call. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on Kratos’ website.
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low cost future manufacturing which is a value add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com
Notice RegardingForward-LookingStatements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, express or implied statements concerning the Company’s expectations regarding its future financial performance, including the Company’s expectations for its first quarter and full year 2024 revenues, organic revenue growth rates, R&D, operating income (loss), depreciation, amortization, stock based compensation expense, and Adjusted EBITDA, and full year 2024 operating cash flow, capital expenditures and other investments, and free cash flow, the Company’s future growth trajectory and ability to achieve improved revenue mix and profit in certain of its business segments and the expected timing of such improved revenue mix and profit, including the Company’s ability to achieve sustained year over year increasing revenues, profitability and cash flow, the Company’s expectation of ramp on projects and that investments in its business, including Company funded R&D expenses and ongoing development efforts, will result in an increase in the Company’s market share and total addressable market and position the Company for significant future organic growth, profitability, cash flow and an increase in shareholder value, the Company’s bid and proposal pipeline and backlog, including the Company’s ability to timely execute on its backlog, demand for its products and services, including the Company’s alignment with today’s National Security requirements and the positioning of its C5ISR and other businesses, planned 2024 investments, including in the tactical drone and satellite areas, and the related potential for additional growth in 2025 and beyond, ability to successfully compete and expected new customer awards, including the magnitude and timing of funding and the future opportunity associated with such awards, including in the target and tactical drone and satellite communication areas, performance of key contracts and programs, including the timing of production and demonstration related to certain of the Company’s contracts and control (TT&C) product offerings, the impact of the Company’s restructuring efforts and cost reduction measures, including its ability to improve profitability and cash flow in certain business units as a result of these actions and to achieve financial leverage on fixed administrative costs, the ability of the Company’s advanced purchases of inventory to mitigate supply chain disruptions and the timing of converting these investments to cash through the sales process, benefits to be realized from the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards, the availability and timing of government funding for the Company’s offerings, including the strength of the future funding environment, the short-term delays that may occur as a result of Continuing Resolutions or delays in U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) budget approvals, timing of LRIP and full rate production related to the Company’s unmanned aerial target system offerings, as well as the level of recurring revenues expected to be generated by these programs once they achieve full rate production, market and industry developments, and the current estimated impact of COVID-19 and employee absenteeism, supply chain disruptions, availability of an experienced skilled workforce, inflation and increased costs, risks related to potential cybersecurity events or disruptions of our information technology systems, and delays in our financial projections, industry, business and operations, including projected growth. Such statements are only predictions, and the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that may cause the Company’s results to differ include, but are not limited to: risks to our business and financial results related to the reductions and other spending constraints imposed on the U.S. Government and our other customers, including as a result of sequestration and extended continuing resolutions, the Federal budget deficit and Federal government shut-downs; risks of adverse regulatory action or litigation; risks associated with debt leverage; risks that our cost-cutting initiatives will not provide the anticipated benefits; risks that changes, cutbacks or delays in spending by the DoD may occur, which could cause delays or cancellations of key government contracts; risks of delays to or the cancellation of our projects as a result of protest actions submitted by our competitors; risks that changes may occur in Federal government (or other applicable) procurement laws, regulations, policies and budgets; risks of the availability of government funding for the Company’s products and services due to performance, cost growth, or other factors, changes in government and customer priorities and requirements (including cost-cutting initiatives, the potential deferral of awards, terminations or reduction of expenditures to respond to the priorities of Congress and the Administration, or budgetary cuts resulting from Congressional committee recommendations or automatic sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011, as amended); risks that the unmanned aerial systems and unmanned ground sensor markets do not experience significant growth; risks that products we have developed or will develop will become programs of record; risks that we cannot expand our customer base or that our products do not achieve broad acceptance which could impact our ability to achieve our anticipated level of growth; risks of increases in the Federal government initiatives related to in-sourcing; risks related to security breaches, including cyber security attacks and threats or other significant disruptions of our information systems, facilities and infrastructures; risks related to our compliance with applicable contracting and procurement laws, regulations and standards; risks related to the new DoD Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification; risks relating to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian military conflict; risks to our business in Israel; risks related to contract performance; risks related to failure of our products or services; risks associated with our subcontractors’ or suppliers’ failure to perform their contractual obligations, including the appearance of counterfeit or corrupt parts in our products; changes in the competitive environment (including as a result of bid protests); failure to successfully integrate acquired operations and compete in the marketplace, which could reduce revenues and profit margins; risks that potential future goodwill impairments will adversely affect our operating results; risks that anticipated tax benefits will not be realized in accordance with our expectations; risks that a change in ownership of our stock could cause further limitation to the future utilization of our net operating losses; risks that we may be required to record valuation allowances on our net operating losses which could adversely impact our profitability and financial condition; risks that the current economic environment will adversely impact our business, including with respect to our ability to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to execute on our programs and contracts, as well as expected contract awards and risks related to increasing interest rates and risks related to the interest rate swap contract to hedge Term SOFR associated with the Company’s Term Loan A; currently unforeseen risks associated with COVID-19 and risks related to natural disasters or severe weather. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, and in our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Performance Metrics This news release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including organic revenue growth rates, Adjusted EPS (computed using income from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding income (loss) from discontinued operations, excluding income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest, excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized contract and development costs, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition and restructuring related items and other, which includes, but is not limited to, legal related items, non-recoverable rates and costs, and foreign transaction gains and losses, less the estimated impact to income taxes) and Adjusted EBITDA (which includes net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest and excludes, among other things, losses and gains from discontinued operations, acquisition and restructuring related items, stock compensation expense, foreign transaction gains and losses, and the associated margin rates). Additional non-GAAP financial measures include Free Cash Flow from Operations computed as Cash Flow from Operations less Capital Expenditures plus proceeds from sale of assets and Adjusted EBITDA related to our KUS and KGS businesses. Kratos believes this information is useful to investors because it provides a basis for measuring the Company’s available capital resources, the actual and forecasted operating performance of the Company’s business and the Company’s cash flow, excluding non-recurring items and non-cash items that would normally be included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating the Company’s actual and forecasted operating performance, capital resources and cash flow. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, and investors should carefully evaluate the Company’s financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those financial results. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures as reported by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies. As appropriate, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and information reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP are included in this news release.
Another Performance Metric the Company believes is a key performance indicator in our industry is our Book to Bill Ratio as it provides investors with a measure of the amount of bookings or contract awards as compared to the amount of revenues that have been recorded during the period and provides an indicator of how much of the Company’s backlog is being burned or utilized in a certain period. The Book to Bill Ratio is computed as the number of bookings or contract awards in the period divided by the revenues recorded for the same period. The Company believes that the rolling or last twelve months’ Book to Bill Ratio is meaningful since the timing of quarter-to-quarter bookings can vary.
Note: Unallocated corporate expense, net includes costs for certain stock-based compensation programs (including stock-based compensation costs for stock options, employee stock purchase plan and restricted stock units), the effects of items not considered part of management’s evaluation of segment operating performance, and acquisition and restructuring related items, corporate costs not allocated to the segments, legal related items, and other miscellaneous corporate activities.
